Retailing diamond and gold jewellery represents a major part of our business. With nine shops across the North we find customers will travel across the country to locate something unique and different that often cannot be found in an everyday high street jeweller.
Currently trending however is yellow gold. Once deemed as a less fashionable option to its white gold equivalent we now find the look is to wear white and yellow gold together and to layer up multiple necklaces, pendants, bracelets and rings. Pop stars and fashion icons are leading the trend, and it seems to be an ‘if you’ve got it, wear it’ culture is returning to Europe and the UK.
Heavy gold is still in massive demand. This type of jewellery is not surprisingly priced on its weight. We find that new manufacturers rarely offer it for sale these days as its just too expensive to supply with the gold price as high as it is. This is where second hand steals the show and we are one of the few remaining retailers with a strong range of second hand heavy gold all at pre-owned prices and often 50% less than the new price equivalent. Its been a good investment for many people that you can enjoy and wear over the years and no doubt will remain so for many years to come.
Strong as the demand is at present, not everyone is in the market for buying more jewellery though. Lending and selling of ‘old gold’ and jewellery seem to be as high as ever and the reasons and needs are different for everyone. This month alone one lady needed £450 to pay for her dog to have an operation and borrowed against a gold curb bracelet. Another couple wanted to redecorate and modernise the living room of their house to help it to sell and borrowed £1500 while a gentleman wanting to help his cash flow while waiting for an insurance cheque borrowed £3900 against a Rolex watch. Nearly all of the items we lend on are collected and over 80% of pawnbroking customers redeem their goods. We will buy or lend against any jewellery and most luxury watches, and the process only takes a few minutes. If you need cash fast, pop in for an instant quote and you could walk away with cash today.
Gold-cycling has become a popular theme of recent years and while some customers have used their items for loans, not wanting to part with their precious goods, others have sold their jewellery and watches outright and used the money for summer holidays, to pay off bills or simply to buy something new. You will be pleasantly surprised with how much you can raise and while you could sell your jewellery outright, you could also use our pawnbroking service. With a pawnbroking loan you remain the owner of the goods and you can simply collect your jewellery or watches when you repay your loan and interest, which can be at any point during the term of the 7-month contract.
Summer Bills….
Its not surprising that our foreign exchange department has been packed out providing Euros, Lire and Dollars for holidays abroad as we try to offer the most competitive rates in every town. Those seeking late getaways should call into their nearest Christopher Brown or Brown & Gold store and see just how much we beat the local competition by. Even many of the staff from the local high street banks and post offices use us so that must tell you something!
Wisdom, faith and power….
Sapphire is the birthstone for September and what could be better than to treat your loved one to a stunning piece of jewellery to mark the occasion. In fact ancient civilisations believed the world was built on a giant sapphire and it was its reflection that made the sky and sea so blue. Clearly they must have had better summers than we have!
It was believed that the Sapphire brought wisdom, hope and faith and was a symbol of power, strength and wise judgement. You don’t have to spend the earth to afford one though and we have a new and exciting range of all coloured stone jewellery at Christopher Brown Jewellers Seacroft, York, Pontefract, Goole, Shipley, Prescot and Stockport and Brown and Gold Pawnbrokers in Batley and Toxteth.
With only 4 months to go, what a perfect way to start your Christmas shopping!
Chris Brown
